I found a lump in my vagina, and it was fine

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Last year, my stomach dropped when I felt a lump inside my vagina. It was pea-sized and didn’t hurt, but having a semi-solid mass anywhere in the body is never welcome. After a quick Google search — and an email to my doctor — I realized it was probably a Bartholin’s cyst, a fluid-filled swelling that is usually treatable at home.

These cysts are often asymptomatic and heal on their own without complications. However, some can become painful and lead to an infection that needs medical treatment. Incase you ever experience a Bartholin’s cyst, here’s what you need to know about treatment.

What is a Bartholin’s cyst?During arousal, the vagina secretes lubrication through the Bartholin’s glands. These ducts are located on each side of the inner labia, close to the opening of the vagina. Because the glands secrete liquid, they can get clogged. While gonorrhea and chlamydia can be risk factors, most patients don’t develop cysts because of an STI, says Dr. Kathleen Green, an OBGYN at the University of Florida Health Women’s Center.

Bartholin’s cysts “are caused by a blockage of the Bartholin’s gland, similar to getting a pimple as a pore gets blocked,” says Dr. Green.

How to treat them at homeI wasn’t experiencing any pain, so I took my doctor’s advice and soaked in a few warm baths and applied a heated compress every now and then. My cyst resolved in about a week. These self-care options are usually all you need to help the blockage drain, says Dr. Anna Reinert, an OBGYN at Dignity Health in Phoenix.

“Patients might not ever need to see their provider, says Dr. Reinert. “If they talked to them on the phone, they might just be able to do the compresses and the sitz baths at home.”

When to see a doctorRecurrent cysts, whether infected or not, can sometimes interfere with walking, sitting, or having sex. Though it’s not commonly necessary, there are surgical options that can provide relief. In a procedure called marsupialization, a doctor can make an incision to sew open the cyst to let fluid drain and prevent it from reforming.

If you’re postmenopausal, you’ll want to get any lumps checked out by your gynecologist. Though rare, Bartholin’s cysts comprise 2-7 percent of vulvar cancers. “If you have a much older patient and they’re frequently having these, that’s when you start to worry that it might be something more dangerous,” says Dr. Reinert.

Getting lumps and bumps in and around the vagina, mostly during your childbearing years, is common. Most are oil-filled glands that are harmless and resolve on their own. But women who have gone through menopause can experience lichen sclerosus, a treatable condition that causes blisters or itching and warrants a trip to the doctor. Though it’s unlikely, a lump in the vulva that doesn’t resolve in a few weeks could be a sign of cancer. Some vaginal bumps can also be a symptom of genital warts or herpes. Make sure to see your doctor if you’re unsure.

“Any time a woman has a mass that is painful in her vagina, she should see her doctor as soon as possible,” says Dr. Green. “If caught in the early stages of infection, it can sometimes be treated conservatively with antibiotics or warm compresses. If it gets to big or the infection spreads, surgery may be needed.”

Keri Wiginton is a writer and photographer focusing on issues related to women's health, mental well-being, and feminism. Her work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Austin-American Statesman, Tampa Bay Times and Houston Chronicle. Follow her work at www.keriwiginton.com or on Twitter at @keriphoto.